The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania, in collaboration with the National Museum of Tanzania, yesterday officially handed over “Sharpeville”, a historic painting by the late artist Doreen Mandawa, to the museum’s permanent collection.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Tone Tinnes, said: “Artists like Doreen are essential to every nation. They help us see what we overlook. They challenge us to feel what we fear. They expand our vision, stretch our empathy, and deepen our understanding. In their hands, freedom becomes form. And that is why we must protect artistic freedom not just as a right, but as a necessity. When artists are free, society breathes. When they are silenced, we all suffocate.”

Ambassador Tinnes noted that the donation was made possible through Dag Nissen, a former colleague of the Norwegian Embassy, who first met Doreen Mandawa in 1980 and purchased the painting directly from her.

The artwork “Sharpeville” commemorates the tragic Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa on March 21, 1960, when peaceful protesters were killed for standing against apartheid and discriminatory pass laws.

The handover of Sharpeville underscores Norway’s continued commitment to cultural cooperation and the preservation of artistic heritage that connects people across generations and borders. 

The event brought together representatives from the National Museum of Tanzania, local artists, and cultural stakeholders to honor Doreen Mandawa’s life and her significant contribution to art and social consciousness in Tanzania.

For her part, Adelaide Selema, Acting Director of the National Museum of Tanzania, expressed gratitude for the donation, saying: “We are happy to receive this painting, which will now be part of our permanent collection. Visitors will be able to appreciate its meaning and historical context. The National Museum’s role is to preserve, research, and exhibit Tanzania’s cultural and natural heritage for public education and recreation. Receiving this painting from the Norwegian Embassy is a great honor.”

Selema further emphasized that the museum’s mission is to collect and safeguard works of cultural and historical value, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations to learn from and be inspired by.

About Doreen Mandawa

Born in Scotland in 1929, Doreen Mandawa studied at Sunderland College of Art before moving to Tanzania in 1964, where she lived and worked for more than five decades. She became a central figure in Tanzania’s art scene not only as a painter but also as a teacher and mentor to many emerging artists.

Her impressionistic works captured the vibrancy of East African life while exploring themes of justice, identity, and humanity. In 2019, the National Museum of Tanzania organized a special exhibition in her honor to celebrate both her 90th birthday and the museum’s 90th anniversary.

Doreen Mandawa passed away in 2021, leaving behind a lasting legacy of art that continues to inspire generations of artists and art lovers.

Norway’s Support for Arts and Culture in Tanzania

Norway has a long-standing history of supporting Tanzania’s creative and cultural sectors, recognizing the arts as a catalyst for dialogue, freedom of expression, and social development. Through collaborations with platforms such as Nafasi Art Space, Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA), and other cultural initiatives, Norway continues to promote artistic freedom, gender equality, and cultural exchange.

These partnerships empower artists to address vital issues such as democracy, women’s rights, human rights, and climate change  reinforcing art’s powerful role in strengthening communities and promoting inclusive development.